I love him -- I hate him

[Silas]

Marcus is a great defender but he should not be taking those shots at the end of the game. 

[Ogaju]

the floater is a tough shot.....you cant blame Smart when no one else wanted the shot

[MickaelPietrus]

how the hell can Marcus Smart take every single clutch shot in a game like this? It is almost embarassing for our coaching staff and potential all stars. Stevens is still god awful at assigning roles, and the players should be demanding the ball away from him

[The Oracle]

Kemba had 6 turnovers and had his shot blocked 7 times, the Clippers length just swallowed him up.

In the final 11+ minutes of regulation and OT every point (18) was either scored or assisted by Smart.  In the 7+ minutes prior to that every point (16) was either scored or assisted by Wanamaker.

This team is woefully short on play making without Hayward!  Marcus is being shoehorned into much to large a role for his skillset.  Don't blame Marcus for a situation that Danny Ainge needs to remedy.

[johnnygreen]

I’d rather see guys like Kemba, Hayward, or Tatum taking those big shots too. However, Marcus never seems to be afraid of the big moment, unlike some. He has a very high basketball IQ, so I trust him on the court. I have no doubt that if he thinks someone else has a better opportunity to score, Marcus will make the necessary pass to make it happen.

I’m not sure if this is only supposed to revolve around Marcus Smart, but my “I love him – I hate him” candidate right now would be Kemba Walker. I love everything he brings to the team and he seems to be a consistent scorer. However, my issue is how he manages to get his points. I’m not sure if it’s the nerds dictating his style, but it seems like every time he shoots the ball, it’s from beyond the arc. This season, he is averaging  9.3 three point (39.2%) attempts and 8.4 two point (41.9%) attempts. Maybe I’m just too old now, but only a few players in the history of the league, should be allowed to take more 3’s than 2’s. Also, why is he such a poor shooter from inside the arc? Are defenders too big for him, especially when driving to the rim? I would like to see him drive more often and step back/pull up to take a 13-15 foot jumper. He seems to be lethal in this range and that type of shot.

[Jvalin]

Marcus is a great defender but he should not be taking those shots at the end of the game.

Smart isn't just our best defender. He's our best passer as well.

I love his game! Him and Brown are my favourite Celtics right now. I have a soft spot for Kanter as well, but that's because of his stance against Erdogan in Turkey. I was never a fan of his game to be honest.

[jambr380]

I’d rather see guys like Kemba, Hayward, or Tatum taking those big shots too. However, Marcus never seems to be afraid of the big moment, unlike some. He has a very high basketball IQ, so I trust him on the court. I have no doubt that if he thinks someone else has a better opportunity to score, Marcus will make the necessary pass to make it happen.

I’m not sure if this is only supposed to revolve around Marcus Smart, but my “I love him – I hate him” candidate right now would be Kemba Walker. I love everything he brings to the team and he seems to be a consistent scorer. However, my issue is how he manages to get his points. I’m not sure if it’s the nerds dictating his style, but it seems like every time he shoots the ball, it’s from beyond the arc. This season, he is averaging  9.3 three point (39.2%) attempts and 8.4 two point (41.9%) attempts. Maybe I’m just too old now, but only a few players in the history of the league, should be allowed to take more 3’s than 2’s. Also, why is he such a poor shooter from inside the arc? Are defenders too big for him, especially when driving to the rim? I would like to see him drive more often and step back/pull up to take a 13-15 foot jumper. He seems to be lethal in this range and that type of shot.

I wouldn't be too worried about it. He is shooting 40% from 3-pt on high volume shooting. That is like shooting 60% in terms of efficiency - which is incredible. He also averages over 5 FTAs/gm and while that isn't elite, it's at least a couple more times he is taking 2s (most likely going to the hoop) and those doesn't count toward his 2-pt shot attempts.

He does seem to be able to stop on a dime and pull up from 13-15 ft pretty easily, though. If those chances present themselves, I wouldn't be opposed to him doing that a little more.

[wdleehi]

I think the team is just better when Hayward is out there directing offensive traffic.   There seems to be more touches for the top players in a single set then now. 

Of course the defense is just better when Smart is out there directing the defensive traffic. 

[footey]

I think the team is just better when Hayward is out there directing offensive traffic.   There seems to be more touches for the top players in a single set then now. 

Of course the defense is just better when Smart is out there directing the defensive traffic.

Totally agree. Jaylen Brown said as much recently when asked how they will miss G.

[PhoSita]

If you love somebody you have to take the good with the bad.


Also, Smart has hit enough huge late game threes that I don't regard his shot-taking as bad except when it's really early in the clock.  But he's not the only offender in that regard.

[Amonkey]

Smart is sort of like a defensive version of Antoine Walker (to a lesser extent). Walker would throw up crazy shots that makes you think, what are you doing? But then he would make them and you'd be out there celebrating. He was definitely an interesting player to watch for that reason.

[nickagneta]

I am not buying that other players don't want the ball on those late clutch shots. I do think Marcus thinks he is a lot better passer, shooter, and clutch shooter than he actually is and is taking it upon himself to keep the ball and take those shots.

I doubt Stevens wanted Marcus taking as many forced and contested and bad clutch shots as he took. So it is his job to let Smart know he is out there now to get the ball to the guys that score in those late game situations, not to try to set himself up. Sacramento, Stevens would probably not mention much. But now two close game situations in a row and Smart appears to be having sticky fingers in clutch situations, let's hope he said something this time and let's hope it sinks in with Smart.

He has to give that ball up to the guys that can create and shoot much better shots for themselves. Or, he has to run a set play, one where he doesn't still have the ball in his hands near the three point line when it comes time to shoot. That late game out of bounds play to Tatum shows he is ready to make those buckets. Kemba built his career on hitting clutch shots. I would trust Hayward and Brown to make a clutch last second basket over Smart.

(Yes. I know Hayward wasn't there because he is injured. But, even after Hayward comes back, I think we will see a lot of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Hayward and Tatum lineups in clutch late game situations and if that is so, Smart should be the last person touching the ball in late game offensive possessions. He should be the one in the corner not being involved in the offense, not Brown, Hayward or Tatum. So that is why I included Gordon.)

[Fierce1]

I am not buying that other players don't want the ball on those late clutch shots. I do think Marcus thinks he is a lot better passer, shooter, and clutch shooter than he actually is and is taking it upon himself to keep the ball and take those shots.

I doubt Stevens wanted Marcus taking as many forced and contested and bad clutch shots as he took. So it is his job to let Smart know he is out there now to get the ball to the guys that score in those late game situations, not to try to set himself up. Sacramento, Stevens would probably not mention much. But now two close game situations in a row and Smart appears to be having sticky fingers in clutch situations, let's hope he said something this time and let's hope it sinks in with Smart.

He has to give that ball up to the guys that can create and shoot much better shots for themselves. Or, he has to run a set play, one where he doesn't still have the ball in his hands near the three point line when it comes time to shoot. That late game out of bounds play to Tatum shows he is ready to make those buckets. Kemba built his career on hitting clutch shots. I would trust Hayward and Brown to make a clutch last second basket over Smart.

(Yes. I know Hayward wasn't there because he is injured. But, even after Hayward comes back, I think we will see a lot of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Hayward and Tatum lineups in clutch late game situations and if that is so, Smart should be the last person touching the ball in late game offensive possessions. He should be the one in the corner not being involved in the offense, not Brown, Hayward or Tatum. So that is why I included Gordon.)

No big man in late game situations?

Or maybe it will be Smart or Brown not on the court in late game situations.

[blink]

i don't mind Smart being part of the play that gets someone open, or being the passer on a set play like an alley-oop, but when we have Kemba, Hayward, Tatum and Brown one of those 4 most likely should be taking the last shot. 
But crazy things happen in last second plays, sometimes you can't always get your best option(s).

btw dumb / off topic q of the day,
does NGT = No Game Thread?
I can't find the description on the site.

[nickagneta]

I am not buying that other players don't want the ball on those late clutch shots. I do think Marcus thinks he is a lot better passer, shooter, and clutch shooter than he actually is and is taking it upon himself to keep the ball and take those shots.

I doubt Stevens wanted Marcus taking as many forced and contested and bad clutch shots as he took. So it is his job to let Smart know he is out there now to get the ball to the guys that score in those late game situations, not to try to set himself up. Sacramento, Stevens would probably not mention much. But now two close game situations in a row and Smart appears to be having sticky fingers in clutch situations, let's hope he said something this time and let's hope it sinks in with Smart.

He has to give that ball up to the guys that can create and shoot much better shots for themselves. Or, he has to run a set play, one where he doesn't still have the ball in his hands near the three point line when it comes time to shoot. That late game out of bounds play to Tatum shows he is ready to make those buckets. Kemba built his career on hitting clutch shots. I would trust Hayward and Brown to make a clutch last second basket over Smart.

(Yes. I know Hayward wasn't there because he is injured. But, even after Hayward comes back, I think we will see a lot of Kemba, Smart, Brown, Hayward and Tatum lineups in clutch late game situations and if that is so, Smart should be the last person touching the ball in late game offensive possessions. He should be the one in the corner not being involved in the offense, not Brown, Hayward or Tatum. So that is why I included Gordon.)

No big man in late game situations?

Or maybe it will be Smart or Brown not on the court in late game situations.

Those are their five best players and in late game,
clutch time, offensive possessions, those are the five guys you want on the floor. If you can sub Theis in and out, possession by possession, real late, great. But otherwise you live on defense that late with an in your shirt, switch everything, pressure defense that will continue to switch off ball to assure Kemba isn't getting put on a big center.